Not wanting to be closed for environmental rehabilitation, Guimaras’ provincial government is doing its best to avoid becoming “the next Boracay.”

The provincial government cited the expected entry of more tourists and foreign investors as incentives for avoiding temporary closure.

Governor Samuel Gumarin said that with tourists and investors coming in, they are preparing for possible consequences (http://thedailyguardian.net/local-news/not-the-next-boracay-guimaras-vows-to-curb-waste-problems/).

“The Province of Guimaras was also given the platform to promote the island as a haven for investment. Based on the series of business meetings with the New York firms, University of the Philippines Association, Filipino communities, we eye to project foreign direct investments for high value crops, eco-tourism, medium enterprises, utilities and Business Processing Outsourcing,” Gumarin said.

Tourist arrivals during the weeklong celebration of the Manggahan Festival went up from 68,550 in 2017 to 90,492 in 2018.

With Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business Act and the expansion of the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, the province is working on the Unified Licensing System in issuing business permits for tourism establishments.

Meanwhile, Guimaras Vice Governor John Edward Gando assured they will have a list of operating business establishments to closely monitor compliance with policies issued by the Department on Environment and Natural Resources and the provincial government.

Guimaras is determined to “level up” activities this year to mark the 25th anniversay of its Manggahan Festival, a celebration of thanksgiving for their bountiful blessing.

The festival will run from May 11-22, 2018.

Guimaras tourism officer-in-charge Liberty Ferrer said they were now in the process of making an inventory of their mango production to determine how much they could supply during the festival, which was famous for its sweet mangoes.

Ferrer said they would be strengthening their mango-related activities such as the “all-you-can-eat” event and the mango chandelier contest.

Ushering the Manggahan Festival highlights will be the Manggahan sa Kabanwahanan where a cultural presentation will be held in each of the five municipalities of Guimaras after the Manggahan caravan slated on April 2.

Manggahan will also host several national sports events such as the biking and the motocross dubbed “King of Kings”, which is expected to gather the best riders in the country.

A bigger and better cultural presentation, especially that their festival champion—Hubon Manguguma from the town of San Lorenzo—won the Kasadyahan Regional Cultural Competition of the 2018 Dinagyang Festival is expected to perform.

Ferrer said they look forward to get the participation of other festivals from outside Western Visayas. Last year, festivals from other provinces in Region 6 joined the cultural presentation.

This major tourist attraction is expected to gather close to a hundred thousand tourists.

Last year, they recorded assisting more than 60,000 guests.

“We target an increase of 15 percent in our tourist arrivals for the Manggahan Festival,” she said.

To kick off the celebration, the province unveiled its 100 days marker for the 25th year of the festival on January 29.

During the unveiling, 25 mango seedlings were planted inside the capitol grounds compound based on the Provincial Site Development Plan, led by Guimaras Governor Samuel Gumarin, Vice Governor Atty. John Edward Gando and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).

The seedlings were named based on the virtues that represent the provincial government such as leadership, excellence, compassion and accountability.

The performance of the tribal group Te Amiorangi from Ruapotaka Marae from Auckland, New Zealand added color to the kick-off activity. (Philippine News Agency)